Anticreeper for railway-rails.



W. S. WESTON.

ANTICBBBPBR FOR RAILWAY RAILS.

APPLICATION FILED 212.13, 1914.

1,1 20,258. Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

WILLIAM S. WESTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ANTICREEPER FOR RAILWAY-RAILS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

Application filed February 13, 1914. Serial No. 818,463.

railway rails which have a friction grip on the base of the rail and apendent lug bearing against the tie, and more particularly to that classof anti-creerwrs which are made of resilient material on a formSOYIICWlIflt smaller than the base of the rail onto which they are to besprung by force in the process of installation.

The objects of my invention are, first, an anti-creeper of simple formthat can be made in a forging or bending machine in one piece withoutwaste of material; second, an anti-creeper of the class described thatcan be applied to the rail base easily by hand with the aid of theordinary hand or spike hammer without the need of a special wrench ortool; and third, an anti-creeper with a moderate amount of adjustment inits installation, making it possible to select from a small number ofstandard sizes an anti-creeper which will fit the base of any railwayrail. The novel construction whereby I attain these objects, and othernovel features of improvement, are hereinafter described and clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part of thisspecification, and are particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a 'ailway ail showingan anti- 40 creeper in operative position with a depending end portionabutting, against a tie or other substructure. Fig. 2 is an endelevation of a rail with the anti-creeper in operative position. Fig. 3is a plan view of Fig. 1. Figs. 4 and 5 are end views of a rail showingthe anti-creeper in consecu tive stages in the process of itsinstallation on the rail. Fig. 6 is another plan view showing theanti-creeper in conjunction with an auxiliary clip, and Fig. 7 is across section on the line 77 of Fig. 6.

The same numerals refer to the same or similar parts in the severalviews.

My invention consists in an anti-creeper made from a piece of steel rod,preferably round, out without waste and forged or bent into such shapethat its component parts, as seen in a downward or plan view, will bedisposed, relative to each other and to the rail, substantially inaccordance to the following description: The rod is bent into a V at anangle something less than 90 degrees, with the legs offset so that whenone leg is passed diagonally under the base of the rail, the other legwill extend lengthwise of the rail and above the upper face of the baseflange. The central portion of this longitudinally disposed leg is bentinward toward the rail so as to overlap the flange, while its free endis bent downward in a vertical direction passing the edge of the flangeand forming the tie abutting portion of the anti'creeper. The free endof the diagonal leg of the V passed under the rail is bent upward pastthe edge of the base flange on that side forming a short hookapproximately at right angles to the leg but slightly inclined over theedge of the base flange toward the opposite leg.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, and retaining thenomenclature describing the anti-creeper as of V form, 1 is the legdiagonally or angularly disposed beneath the rail base, 2 is thelongitudinally disposed leg with its central portion 3 bent inward overthe base flange and its free end i bent downward. The portion 5 is theoffsetting connection between the legs at the apex of the V and (i isthe upturned hook in the free end of the diagonal leg. The part 5 at theapex of the V and the downwardly bent or pendent part 4; furnish twopoints of contact, 7 and 8 respectively, between the anti-creeper andthe edge of one base flange, determining the exact position of thelongitudinally disposed leg. while the upwardly bent hook 6 at the endof the diagonal leg furnishes a single point of contact 9 on the edge ofthe opposite base flange. These three points of contact constitute threeseats of effective bearing between the anti-creepers and the rail, andare described at greater length later on.

The anti-creeper is manufactured with the angle of the V less than isrequired by the base of the rail on which it is to be used, that is, theperpendicular distance from the single point of contact on one side to aline through the two points of contact on the other side is less thanthe width of the base. This contracted construction is illustrated inFig. 3 by a dotted outline 6 of the upturned hook 6, the ultimatelocation of the hook when in correct position on the rail being shown inheavy full lines. The construction thus requires that the anti-creepershall be expanded or sprung open when installed, and thereby utilize theresilient forces in the metal to maintain a friction grip on the rail.The clamping on the rail may be accomplished in two ways. First, theanti-creeper may be placed on the rail by hand in approximately itscorrect position as shown in Fig. 3, except that the leg 1 of the Vpassed beneath the rail will lie at such an angle that its hook will notclear the edge of the flange as shown at 6. A suitable wrench or toolmay then be employed to spring the hook outward and upward intoengagement as shown in full lines. This method, however, isobjectionable because of the extra tool and the skill required in theoperation. To permit a second and more convenient method ofinstallation, and to carry out one of the primary objects of myinvention, the configuration of the anti-creeper described is such thatit can be sprung into its final seat by a blow from a hammer given witha normal downward stroke. In accordance with the second method, theanti-creeper is applied by hand through the consecutive positionsillustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, where the downwardly bent end 4: and thelongitudinally disposed leg of the V are held above the base flange inthe fishing space of the rail, while the diagonal leg is passed beneaththe rail. That the anticreeper can be placed as in Fig. 5 in this mannerwill be apparent if note is taken of the fact that because of itsultimate diagonal position the length of the leg 1 between the contactpoint 7 at the apex of the V and the contact point 9 of the hook at itsend, is greater than the width of the rail base. The anti-creeper isthen rotated in a direction indicated by the arrow 11 in Fig. 5 aboutthe diagonally disposed leg as an axis. This movement brings thedepending end 4.- down over the edge of the base flange andsimultaneously brings the upwardly bent hook to a slight incline overthe edge of the opposite base flange. The rotative movement is made asfar as possible by hand and then completed by a downward hammer blow atthe point and in the direction indicated by the arrow 12 in Figs. 1 and2. To guard against the anti-creeper working oil by a reversal of therotative movement, the depending portion l is curved inwardly betweenthe ends like the bill of a common gate hook, and to insure its alwaysstarting past the edge of the base when rotated from the position inFig. 5, its lower end is curved outwardly as shown. After theanti-creeper is sprung onto the rail, the depending end may be broughtinto contact with the tie by one or two hammer blows applied at the apexof the V, as indicated by the arrow 13 in Fig. 3.

\Vhile it would be possible to remove the anti-creeper from the rail bya reversal of the installation movement just described, yet this wouldrequire a special tool, as in the ordinary conditions of track a hammercould not be applied to drive the depending end in an upward direction.I prefer, therefore, to remove the anti-creeper bya hammer blow on theend of the upturned hook 6 delivered in a downward and backwarddirection, as indicated. by the arrow 14 in Figs. 2 and 3. This blowdrives the hook down as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2 until itclears the edge of the base, when the anti-creeper will come free. Tothis purpose the hook is made short and with only a slight amount ofinclined overhang. It may be observed in this connection that theinclination or overhang of the hook .6 is utilized solely to hold thediagonal leg up to the rail base during installation and to keep it fromworking away in service. As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6, the diagonalleg lies at an angle of about 60 de rees with the rail. This angle maybe increased to a limit approximating 90 degrees, beyond which thedistance between the apex of the V and the upturned hook will be so nearthe width of the rail base that it could not be readily applied thereto.It is evident, however, that within this limit an anti-creeper of theconstruction illustrated can be sprung on rails of different widths. Theedge of a wider base is indicated by a dotted line at 16, Fig. 3, and

the position of the upturned hook sprung outwardly for this width isshown in dotted outline at 6 If in this operation the V is opened up toor beyond the elastic limit of the metal, advantage is gained in thefact that the initial clamping grip of the anticreeper on the rail isthen equal to its full resilient contracting force. The anticreeper ismade, therefore, with the legs of the V at a smaller angle than requiredby the narrowest rail base in connection with which it is to be used,and within definite limits is adjustable for application to rails ofgreater width. Furthermore, an exact fit of the anti-creeper to thethickness and slope of the base flange isnot essential to its functionaloperation, as is the case in 6 many types where the initial grip dependsupon the closeness of the fit of flange engaging jaws or the like.Consequently, the

vertical space between the overhanging por' anti-creeper is based on alever-grip which in turn is dependent upon an initial friction grip atthe points of fulcrum. The levergrip is well known and in common use inthe mechanic arts and need not be explained, but its peculiar double usein my invention is to be noted. Referring to Fig. 1, it will be observedthat the reaction of the tie 1S in preventing movement of the railtoward the left will tend to rotate the pendant 4 in a vertical planeand in a direction counterclockwise about its point of friction contactwith the edge of the rail base at 8. With increased pressure, thismovement brings the contacting portion or seat of the anticreeper deviceat 8 into snug bearing with the corner between the upper surface andedge of the base flange of the rail and also brings the contactingportion or seat at 7 into snug engagement with the corner between theunder surface and edge of the flange. In this way, a lever-grip of theanticreeping device upon the rail that operates in a vertical plane, isestablished. Should the anti-creeper tend to yield to the reactionpressure of the tie by sliding along the flange, a second lever-gripcomes into action in a horizontal plane with the contacting portions ofthe anti-creeper seats at 7 and 9 acting as fulcrums.

The novel feature of my invention involving the use of substantiallyonly three seats or points of bearing, is fundamental to itsconstruction.

Referring back to the method of installation where the anti-creeper isrotated into position, it will be apparent that during the process ofrotation there can be only two points of simultaneously effectivecontact with the rail base on the center line of rotation, that is, aline through the points of contact 7 and 9, and that only one other partof the device, the depending end 4, is in effective contact, and that atthe end of the movement this third contact is established at point 8.Now since the overhang of the longitudinal leg is made to clear thethickest flange, it also will be apparent that when brought intofunctional operation by the reaction of the tie, this leg will be out ofeffective contact with the flange except at a point closely adjacent thepoint 8 of the pendant l, as indicated in Fig. 2. It is immaterial as towhether the diagonal leg 1 is in contact with the rail between the seats7 and 9. Instead of allowing the round sur face of the bent rod to findits own seats on the rail, I might in the manufacturing process formwell defined seats at these three points holding the balance of theanticreeper entirely free from the rail without in any way changing thenovel features of my invention. It is further to be noted that no one ofthe seats however formed need be in itself a lever-grip on the rail.

It is possible to use my anti-creeper with auxiliary parts. Forinstance, I may introduce a separate intermediate clip with a broadertie bearing surface. Such a construction is illustrated in Figs. (3 and7, in which a clip 19 having one bottom lip 20 and two top lips 21 and2; engaging the base flange, is held on the rail by the depending end ofthe anti-creeper which is forced between the top lips. The clip has atie abutting plate 23 stiffened by a bracket 24 rising into the bottomlip. The reaction thrust of the tie is transmitted through the clip tothe anti'creeper proper, and the functional action of the latter is thesame as without the clip.

It is obvious that changes may be made in the details set forth withoutdeparture from the essentials of the invention as defined in the claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Ananti-creeping device for railway rails comprising a contracting clampadapted to grip the flanges of the rail base when sprung into positionthereon and having two seats for effective contact with one flange and asingle seat for effective contact with the other flange, and having aresilient yielding connection between said single seat and one of theother seats, whereby the said clamp can be forced into position on therail.

2. An anti-creeping device for railway rails comprising a contractingclamp adapted to grip the flanges of the rail base when sprung intoplace thereon and having three seats for effective contact with the baseflanges, one of which is brought into effective contact, in the processof seating, by the rotation of the device about a line connecting theother two seats and while the latter engage opposite flanges.

3. An anti-creeping device for railway rails comprising a contractingclamp adapted to grip the flanges of the rail base when sprung intoplace thereon and having three seats for effective contact with the baseflanges, one of which seats is brought into contact, in the process ofseating, by rotating the device about a line connecting the other twoseats, and while the latter engage opposite flanges, the connectionbetween said first seat and that for engaging the opposite flange beingelastic and resilient, whereby the said clamp may be seated on rails ofvariable widths of base.

1'- An adjustable anti-creeping device for railway rails comprising aclamp adapted to hold the base of the rail with a levergrip when placedin operative position thereon and having a tie abutting pendant, twoseats for effective bearing on one base flange, a single seat foreffective bearing on the opposite base flange, and a resilient elasticconstruction in the connections between the seats, whereby the space tobe occupied by the rail base may be expanded to suit the width of saidrail base when seated therein.

5. .An anti-creeping device for railway rails comprising a clamp adaptedto be sprung into position on the rail and having a tie abutting portionand three seats of effective bearing on the rail base, whereby thereaction thrust of the tie acting through the said abutting portion andthe said three seats establishes a double lever-grip on the rail.

6. An anti creeping device for railway rails comprising a spring clamphaving two effective seats 011 opposite rail base edges and a third seatadapted to be sprung into eflective position on one of said rail base.

edges by a downward movement of rotation about a line through the othertwo seats.

7. An adjustable anti-creeping device for railway rails comprising acontracting clamp adapted to grip the flanges of the rail base whensprung into place thereon and having three seats for effective contactwith the base flanges, the said three seats being applicable to flangesof any standard thickness, and a resilient elastic connection between atleast two of said seats whereby the said clamp may be sprung into placeon rails having base flanges of varying widths.

S. An anti-creeping device for railway rails comprising a contractingclamp adapted to grip the rail base when sprung into place thereon andhaving three seats for effective contact with the base flanges, one ofsaid seats being arranged to engage one flange and being connected withthe two seats that engage the opposite flange in a resilient relationtherewith, whereby when the single seat is driven clear of the baseflange by a downward blow of a hammer the said device will clear therail and have a rail base seating space narrower than the rail base.

9. An anti-creeping device for railway rails comprising a contractingclamp adapted to grip the rail base when sprung into place thereon andhaving three seats for effective bearing on the base flanges, and anelastic resilient construction in the connec tions between the seats,whereby the said device may be sprung into position on the rail by adownward blow applied adjacent one of said seats and sprung ofi' of therail by a downward blow applied adjacent the seat on the opposite baseflange.

10. A resilient V-shaped rail anchor adapted to be sprung in place uponthe rail base and comprising an inclined transverse member adapted toextend beneath the rail, and a longitudinal member arranged to overlapone of the base flanges thereof, and having rail engaging seats at itsapex and at the ends of said members, the seat at the apex and at theend of said longitudinal member being arranged to engage one base flangeand the seat at the end of the transverse member being arranged toengage the opposite base flange.

WILLIAM S. lVESTON. lVitnesses J. G. ANDERSON, ELEANOR HaenNoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

